Date: December 24, 2023, 01:53h. 

Last updated on: December 23, 2023, 04:02h.

The Mississippi Gaming Commission (MGC) has finally given the green light to a Biloxi casino resort that has faced numerous rejections over the years.

The MGC granted site approval to RW Development and local businessman Ray Woolridge, despite opposition from the city’s current casinos. The approval comes with several conditions, including a three-year timeframe for design, financing, and subsequent MGC approval for transfer of the site. The project also involves the construction and maintenance of a handicap-accessible pier at a cost of over $3 million.

Pier Lease Turns Tide

Woolridge has faced multiple legal challenges and appeals in the process of acquiring approval for his casino resort. His fourth attempt at site approval came after agreeing to build a public pier on the city’s behalf through a lease agreement.

A significant lawsuit related to property ownership and state authority was resolved earlier this year, providing Woolridge with control of the land near the mean high-water line, which was vital for the MGC’s approval of the gaming site.

Local Opposition

Reps from some of Biloxi’s eight current casinos expressed their opposition to the site’s approval for gaming, but Woolridge stated that their resistance suggests a reluctance to face additional competition.